Pediatric Surgery

Dr. Gil Eamer, MD, MSc, FRCSC

Fellowship Training

• Pediatric General Surgery, McMaster University

Residency Training

• University of Alberta

Medical Doctorate

• University of British Columbia

Other Degrees

• Clinician Investigator Program

DR. Kyle Cowan, MD, pHD, FRCSC

Dr. Cowan is a pediatric general surgeon at CHEO, a scientist at the CHEO Research Institute, and an associate professor in the Departments of Surgery and Cellular and Molecular Medicine at the University of Ottawa. Dr. Cowan completed a Ph.D. in cardiovascular research under the supervision of Dr. Marlene Rabinovitch at the Hospital for Sick Children, Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology, University of Toronto where he studied the pathophysiology of primary arterial hypertension and approaches to its reversal. Dr. Cowan then started medical studies at the University of Toronto, which was followed by a 5-year general surgery residency at the University of Western Ontario. During his residency, Dr. Cowan continued his basic science training with the completion of a post-doctoral fellowship in the area of cell communication (connexins and pannexins) and tumour biology in the laboratory of Dr. Dale W. Laird at the University of Western Ontario, Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology. After finishing his general surgery residency and a postdoctoral fellowship in 2009, Dr. Cowan completed a pediatric surgery fellowship (2009-2011) at CHEO. His research focuses on the role of pannexins in skeletal muscle health and muscle dystrophy, as well as in pediatric cancers such as rhabdomyosarcoma and neuroblastoma. Dr. Cowan is the recipient of numerous awards, including the Canadian Institute of Health Research and the Canadian Society for Clinical Investigation joint Resident Research Award, Physician Services Incorporated Foundation Resident Research Award, and the American College of Cardiology Young Investigator's Award. Clinical interests: Pediatric general and thoracic surgery, Neonatal Surgery, Translational Research, Precision Oncology Research

DR. Ahmed Nasr, MD, MSC, FRCSC

Dr. Nasr completed his medical studies, general surgery training, and a Ph.D. in Egypt. Upon his arrival in Canada, he pursued and completed his Canadian medical training in General Surgery at the University of Toronto, where he also completed his Pediatric Surgical Fellowship as well as his NICU Fellowship. During this time, he obtained a Masters in Clinical Epidemiology. Dr. Nasr joined CHEO in September 2011. Dr. Nasr is currently the Medical Director for the Trauma Program and is a pediatric surgeon in the Division of Pediatric Surgery at CHEO. Dr. Nasr’s academic and research focus include minimally invasive surgery, pediatric trauma, and evidence-based medicine. Dr. Nasr is the Principal Investigator and principal founder of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons Evidence-Based Resource, a knowledge base that provides and promotes evidence-based practice amongst pediatric surgeons on a global level, thereby ensuring children and youth receive the best surgical care globally. As the Chair of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons Research Committee, he is proactive with research and has over 80 peer-reviewed publications.

Dr. Marcos Bettolli, MD, FRCSC

Dr. Bettolli completed his medical studies and earned his Medicinae Doctor degree at the Catholic University of Cordoba, Argentina. He completed his residency in Pediatric Surgery at the Hospital Infantil de la Municipalidad de Cordoba and obtained his degree of Pediatric Surgeon at the National University of Cordoba, Argentina. In 2004, Dr. Bettolli arrived in Canada as the Clinical Research Fellow at CHEO with a scholarship granted from the University of Ottawa. The focus of his research is in basic science - gastrointestinal dysmotility and Minimally Invasive Surgery (MIS). During his Fellowship of 3 years, he developed two advanced immunostaining histopathology procedures for post-operative and intraoperative assessment of Hirschsprung's Disease pathology. He was then recruited as Assistant Professor at CHEO. His career focuses are centered on MIS, chest wall deformities, and teaching. Today, CHEO is recognized as having one of the strongest MIS Pediatric Surgery Programs across Canada and is a referral center for chest wall deformities. In 2012, Dr. Bettolli introduced Bracing Therapy, which is a non-operative treatment for Pectus Carinatum, to CHEO and the Ottawa region. In the same year, Dr. Bettolli became one of the pioneers in non-invasive correction for Pectus Excavatum. By introducing and prescribing the Eckhart Klobe vacuum bell, Dr. Bettolli has brought CHEO to the forefront as a leader with this alternative treatment. In 2010, Dr. Bettolli became the educational leader for the Pediatric Surgery undergraduate program at the University of Ottawa. As the educational leader, he is involved in teaching, development, and organization of the Undergraduate Pediatric Surgery curriculum at all levels. In 2014, he was promoted to Associate Professor at the University of Ottawa and earned his distinction as a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Canada (FRCSC). Clinical interests: Minimally invasive surgery, Chest wall deformities, Quality Improvement Pediatric Program (NSQIP)